Hand held aerosol dispenser

ABSTRACT

An ergonomically excellent hand-held aerosol dispenser ( 1 ) comprising an aerosol container ( 3 ) and an attached spray through cap ( 2 ), the container ( 3 ) having a valve ( 15 ) at its top and a waisted section ( 4 ) towards its upper end, the upper expansion of the waisted section ( 4 ) smoothly continuing into the attached cap ( 2 ), the attached cap ( 2 ) reaching a maximum cross-sectional dimension which decreases further up and having: (i) an actuator button ( 6 ) located on its surface ( 8 ) above its maximum cross-sectional dimension, said button ( 6 ) being angled upwards at from 15° to 50°; (ii) a spray aperture ( 7 ) on the opposite side of the cap ( 2 ) from the actuator button ( 6 ); and (iii) an associated spray channel ( 15 ) providing a fluid connection between the valve ( 15 ) on the container ( 3 ) and the spray aperture ( 7 ); the dimensions of the dispenser ( 1 ) allowing the consumer to grip the dispenser ( 1 ) around the waisted section ( 4 ) of the container and, with the same hand, press upon the actuator button ( 6 ) with an index finger to operate the dispenser ( 1 ).

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention concerns a hand held aerosol dispenser, inparticular a hand held aerosol dispenser for dispensing a cosmeticcomposition onto the surface of the human body.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,082 discloses an actuating mechanism for a hand heldcanister in which a slider is moveable by finger pressure from avalve-disengaged position into a valve-engageable position and aconcealed spring returns the slider to a valve-disengaged position whenfinger pressure is removed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomicallyexcellent aerosol dispenser with a slideable actuator button.

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hand-heldcylindrical aerosol dispenser comprising an aerosol container and anattached spray through cap, the container having a valve at its top anda waisted section towards its upper end, the upper expansion of thewaisted section smoothly continuing into the attached cap, the attachedcap reaching a maximum cross-sectional dimension which decreases furtherup and having:

-   -   (i) an actuator button located on its surface above its maximum        cross-sectional dimension, said button being angled upwards at        from 15° to 50°;    -   (ii) a spray aperture on the opposite side of the cap from the        actuator button; and    -   (iii) an associated spray channel providing a fluid connection        between the valve on the container and the spray aperture;        the dimensions of the dispenser allowing the consumer to grip        the dispenser around the waisted section of the container and,        with the same hand, press upon the actuator button with an index        finger to operate the dispenser.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodof applying a cosmetic aerosol composition to the human body comprisingthe use of an actuator according to the first aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this description, orientation terms such as “top”, “upper”,“vertical”, “horizontal”, and “downward” should be understood to bereferring to the dispenser in its “upright” position with the base ofthe container sat on a horizontal surface. Such orientation for thedispenser is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The term “depend” should be understood to refer to features that projectdownwards from others.

The term “lateral” should be understood to refer to the planeapproximately orthogonal to the vertical axis of the dispenser whenoriented as described in the paragraph before last.

The dispenser's vertical axis may be thought of as its principle axisand the term “horizontal” refers to the plane orthogonal to this axis.

The dispenser of the present invention is easy to operate using a singlehand. The angled actuator button and waisted design of the containerenable the dispenser to be convenient held in the hand with the indexfinger able to operate the actuator via a simple extension action.Desirably, the dispenser is dimensioned such that the consumer may gripthe waist of the container between the ball of her thumb and her thirdand fourth fingers and have her index finger in slightly bent positionwhen her finger pad is placed on the centre of a finger pad at the topof the actuator button prior to actuation.

The top surface of the actuator button should be considered to be thefinger pad thereof.

The waisted section of the container should be understood to be anarrowed section of smooth contour. That is to say, a section ofgradually decreasing diameter towards the “waist”, followed by a sectionof gradually increasing diameter. The “waist” should be understood to bethe narrowest part of the waisted section.

The “upper” part of the dispenser should be understood to be the part ofthe dispenser above its waist and the “lower” part of the dispensershould be understood to be the part of the dispenser below its waist.

The waisted section of the container is typically present as part of thetop half of the container and preferably as part of its top third.

The upper expansion of the waisted section continues smoothly into theattached spray through cap. That is to say, the upward expansion of thediameter of the dispenser continues to approximately the same degree onmoving from the container to the cap. This does not preclude thepossibility that there is a clear join between the container and thespray through cap; indeed, this is normal (vide infra). Preferably, themaximum diameter of the upper part of the dispenser is at the pointwhere the spray through cap fits onto the container.

For reasons of stability, the maximum diameter of the upper part of thedispenser is preferably no greater than the maximum diameter of thelower part of the dispenser. More preferably, the diameter of the upperpart of the dispenser is the same or approximately the same as thediameter of the lower part of dispenser.

In preferred embodiments, the spray through cap is lockable into placeon top of the aerosol container. This may be achieved by means ofbeading around the bottom inside edge of the spray through cap and anassociated groove towards the top of the aerosol container. By havingthe spray through cap “locked” into place on top of the aerosolcontainer, operational robustness is improved.

The spray through cap is a cap through which the product in the aerosolcontainer may be dispensed (sprayed) without being removed. This isachieved by having an associated spray channel that gives fluidcommunication between the valve on the container and the spray aperturein the spray cap.

The spray aperture is a gap defined by an outer wall of the spraythrough cap. Through this gap, the spray channel allows the contents ofthe container to be dispensed when the valve on the container is opened.The spray aperture is to be considered to be at the front of thedispenser.

The valve on the container may be opened by downward pressure upon it,typically generated by downward pressure upon the associated spraychannel.

In preferred embodiments, the waist of the container has an outerdiameter of from 30 mm to 40 mm, more preferably from 33 mm to 39 mm,and most preferably from 35 mm to 37 mm.

In preferred embodiments, the waist of the container is located at from70 mm to 90 mm, more preferably at from 75 mm to 81 mm, and mostpreferably at from 77.5 mm to 79.5 mm from the centre of the finger padof the actuator button, measured as the minimum distance along thecurved outer surface of the dispenser. These dimensions are particularlysuitable when the dispenser is to be used by women, the resultingdispenser fitting well in the typical female hand and being particularlyeasy to use.

In preferred embodiments, the ratio of the outer diameter of the waistof the container to the distance between the outer diameter of the waistand the centre of the finger pad of the actuator button, measured as theminimum distance along the curved outer surface of the dispenser, is atleast 0.42 to 1 and no greater than 0.50 to 1, more preferably being atleast 0.44 to 1 and no greater than 0.48 to 1, and most preferably beingat least 0.45 to 1 and no greater than 0.47 to 1. These dimensions areparticularly suitable when the dispenser is to be used by women, theresulting dispenser fitting well in the typical female hand and beingparticularly easy to use.

In preferred embodiments, the ratio of the outer diameter of the waistof the container to the diameter of the container at the point where thespray through cap fits onto the container, is at least 1 to 1.15 and nogreater than 1 to 1.35, more preferably being at least 1 to 1.2 and nogreater than 1 to 1.3, and most preferably being 1 to 1.25. Theserelative dimensions, particularly in combination with one of thepreferred ratios detailed in the above paragraph, lead to enhancedergonomic benefits.

The actuator button is preferably operated by sliding it; sliding theactuator button forward causing release of the contents of the aerosolcontainer via the spray aperture. The sliding of the button can beconveniently done by extending one's index finger when said finger is ina slightly bent position with one's finger pad sitting on the centre ofthe actuator button.

For repeated use, it is highly preferred that the actuator button has areturn mechanism. Typically the actuator button is fitted with a returnspring that is energised when the button is pushed forwards and servesto return the button to its original position when pressure on thebutton is removed.

The actuator button is at an angle of from 15° to 50°, preferably 20° to45°, and more preferably 25° to 40°, to the horizontal. These anglesshould be considered the angle between the actuator button along itsfront-back axis and the horizontal line in the same vertical plane. Whenthe actuator is curved, it is required that there is a tangent to thecurve at the angle indicated.

The actuator button may have ribs running across its top surface inorder to increase grip. Preferably, the top surface of the button ismade of a thermoplastic elastomer for the same reason. The main body ofthe actuator button may be made of an alternative plastic material, forexample an acetal co-polymer.

The actuator button, in particular the finger pad thereof, is preferablycurved upwards at its front end. This serves to aid the sliding forwardof the button and may thus contribute to the ergonomic advantages of theinvention.

The release of the contents of the container is typically via a spraychannel leading from a valve at the top of the container to the sprayaperture. In preferred embodiments, when the actuator button is slidforwards, it is possible for downward pressure to be exerted on thevalve, thereby opening said valve and allowing the pressurised aerosolcomposition within the container to be dispensed.

In preferred embodiments according to the preceding paragraph, theactuator button is slid forwards and then downwards in order to exertdownward pressure on the valve at the top of the aerosol container.Preferably, this is achieved via a projection depending from theactuator button exerting downward pressure on the spray channel, whichin turn exerts downward pressure of the valve.

The spray through cap, including the associated spray channel aretypically made of plastic, such as polypropylene. A typical method ofmanufacture is injection moulding.

The aerosol container used in accordance with the present invention istypically made of tin-plate or aluminium. The valve is located at thetop of the container, typically in a central position. The container isable to withstand the pressure of the aerosol composition stored within.This pressure may be up to 2 or 3 bar, up to 10 bar, or even up to 14bar.

The aerosol container preferably contains a cosmetic composition forapplication to the surface of the human body. With such use and suchcompositions the ergonomic benefits of the present invention areparticularly advantageous, the dispenser being particularly suitable forspraying products towards the user's own body. This is especially truefor spray products typically targeted towards the underarm areas, thatis to say deodorant and antiperspirant compositions.

The features described with reference to the following specificembodiment may be incorporated independently into the genericdescription given above and/or as given in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a rear/side view of a dispenser (1) according to the presentinvention comprising a spray through cap (2) in place on top of awaisted aerosol container (3).

FIG. 2 is a front/side view of the dispenser (1) illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded rear/side view of the dispenser (1) illustrated inFIG. 1, minus the valve cup and associated valve that would normally bepresent on top of the aerosol container (3).

FIG. 4 is a rear/side/top view of the spray through cap (2).

FIG. 5 is a front view of the spray through cap (2).

FIG. 6 is a top view of the spray through cap (2) with section linesA-A, B-B, and C-C indicated.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the spray through cap (2).

FIGS. 8 and 9 are sections across the beading (10 and 11, respectively)at the bottom of the spray through cap (2).

FIG. 10 is a section through the spray through cap (2) along A-A.

FIG. 11 is a section through the spray through cap (2) along B-B.

FIG. 12 is a section through the spray through cap (2) along C-C.

FIG. 13 is a front/side view of the spray channel (15).

FIG. 14 is a front/side view of the actuator button (6) from slightlyunderneath.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the aerosol container (3) has a waistedsection (4) towards its upper end. The upper expansion of the waistedsection (4) of the aerosol container (3) continues smoothly into theattached spray through cap (2), although there is a clear join (5)between the two.

The spray through cap (2) has a slideable actuator button (6) present onits surface above its maximum cross-sectional dimension and on theopposite side therefrom there is a spray aperture (7) defined by aside-wall (8) of the spray through cap (2).

The dispenser (1) is designed for maximum ease of handling, especiallyby the female hand. The waisted section (4) may be easily grippedbetween the ball of the user's thumb and third and fourth fingers andwhen gripped in such a manner, the pad of the index finger of the user'ssame hand may rest upon the actuator button (6) with the index finger ina slightly bent position, ready for forward and upward extension.

In this specific embodiment, the ratio of the outer diameter of thewaist of the container (3) to the distance between the outer diameter ofthe waist and the centre of the actuator button (6), measured as theminimum distance along the curved outer surface of the dispenser, is0.46 to 1.

The spray through cap (2) and features thereof are further illustratedin FIGS. 4 to 12. The spray through cap (2) has a circularcross-section, defined by the side-wall (8), the diameter of the spraythrough cap (2) decreasing towards its upper end. The side-wall (8)defines an oval spray aperture (7) which is to be considered to be atthe front of the dispenser (1). The oval spray aperture (7) has itsshort axis in the horizontal direction and is located towards the upperend of the side-wall (8).

Projecting inwardly from the side-wall (8) on either side of the sprayaperture (7) are two support wings (9). These support wings (9) are thinwalls extending from the top of the side-wall (8) to a pointapproximately half way down its length. From the side of each of thesupport wings (9) facing the spray aperture (7) there projects a spraychannel guide wall (10). These spray channel guide walls (10) are in avertical plane orthogonal to the front-back axis (A-A) of the dispenser(1). They extend from the support wing (9) towards one another in thevicinity of the spray aperture (7). The spray channel guide walls (10)terminate leaving a gap between them that is always slightly greaterthan the short axis of the oval spray aperture (7).

At the bottom of the side-wall (8) there is beading (11A and 11B)intended to enable the spray through cap (2) to snap lock onto the topof an aerosol container (1). The beading consists of six smooth beads(11A) equally distributed around the bottom inner surface of theside-wall (8) and interspersed by corrugated beading (11B). Detailedcross-sections of the beading (11A and 11B) is illustrated in FIGS. 8and 9 respectively. The beading snap-fits into an indentation (12)around the top of the aerosol container 1 (see FIG. 3).

The spray through cap (2) also has a top wall (13) defining an aperture(14); the aperture being intended to accommodate a segment of anassociated spray channel (15) (vide infra). The top wall (13) is linkedto the side-wall (8) by an inner wall (16) that varies in height fromfront to back, being relatively high at the front and decreasing towardsthe back.

The top wall (13) has a major segment (13A) that is angled upwardstowards the front of the actuator at an angle of approximately 32° fromthe horizontal and a minor segment (13B) that is approximatelyhorizontal. (See FIG. 11). The minor segment (13B) is present at thefront end of the top wall (13). The aperture (14) in the top-wall (13)is located centrally where the major (13A) and minor (13B) segmentsjoin, but is largely defined by the latter.

On either side of the aperture (14), i.e., in a directional orthogonalto the direction of movement of the actuator button (6), two projections(17) rise from the minor segment (13B) of the top wall (13). Theprojections (17) each have raised ridge (18) on their side adjacent tothe aperture (14).

A largely circular aperture wall (19 and 20) lines the aperture (14) andboth depends from and rises from the top wall (13) in a verticaldirection. (See FIG. 12). The lower segment (19) depending from the topwall (13) is longer than the upper segment (20) rising from the top wall(13). The lower segment (19) depending from the top wall (13) has a gap(21) at its front, parallel further walls (22) extending from the edgesof the gap (21) towards the spray aperture (7). These parallel furtherwalls (22) have lower edges (23) that slope upwards in the direction ofthe spray aperture (7). The parallel further walls (22) terminate levelwith the outer edge (24) of the inner wall (16).

The upper segment (20) of the aperture wall that rises from the top wall(13) is abutted by the aforementioned projections (17) that also risefrom the top wall (13). From the front of upper segment (20), thereextends a raised vault (25), linking upper segment (20) to the innerwall (16) and bridging a “gap” in the minor segment (13B) of thetop-wall (13) and the upper segment (20) of the aperture wall. Theraised vault (25) is domed at its top and its inner faces (26) arecontiguous with the inner faces of the parallel further walls (22)extending from the edges of the gap (21) in the lower segment (19) ofthe aperture wall depending from the top wall (13). The raised vault(25) is designed to accommodate a segment of the spray channel (15)(vide infra).

The inner face (20C) of the largely circular aperture wall (19 and 20)is contiguous and has vertical recessions (20D) on either side alignedwith the two projections (17) that rise from the top wall (13) on eitherside of the aperture (14).

From the major segment (13A) of the top wall (13), a central projection(27) rises and has a rear face (28) that extends through a gap (29) inthe top wall (13). This extensive rear face (28) forms a substantialbearing wall and will be referred to as such subsequently.

Towards the back of the major segment (13A) of the top wall (13),restraining clips (30) project. These are intended for restraining asegment of the actuator button (6) (vide infra). The clips (30) sit overparallel slits (31) in the top wall (13) that extend backwards from therestraining clips (30)—i.e. in the direction away from that in which theactuator button (6) is pushed.

Two further parallel slits (32) are present in the major segment (13A)of the top wall (13). These further parallel slits (32) also run fromfront to back and are located on either side of the central projection(27), extending from immediately behind the projections (17) that risefrom the top wall (13) to a point level with the rear face (28) ofcentral projection (27).

The aforementioned spray channel (15) is illustrated in FIG. 13. It iscomprised of a vertical segment (33) and a segment (34) at an angle ofapproximately 114° to the vertical segment (34), i.e., 24° from thehorizontal. The vertical segment (33) and the angled segment (34) are influid connection.

The vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15) is designed to fitonto a valve stem (not illustrated) of the aerosol container (3) and isflared at its base (36V) to aid said fitting. The vertical segment (33)of the spray channel (15) is also designed to fit snugly within theaperture (14) in the top wall (13) of the spray through cap (2) (videsupra). In this manner, lateral movement of the spray channel (15) isrestricted. The vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15) has aresilient area (35) at its top upon which a segment of the actuatorbutton (6) presses when the dispenser (1) is operated.

The vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15) has a verticallyorientated oblong block (33A) projecting from either of its sides, i.e.,in a directional orthogonal to the direction of movement of the actuatorbutton (6). These oblong blocks (33A) are designed to be able to slidewithin the vertical recessions (20D) in the inner face (20C) of thelargely circular aperture wall (19 and 20). By such means, rotationalmovement of the spray channel (15) is restricted.

The vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15) has two smallretaining clips (33B), each present a little way above the oblong blocks(33A) on either of its side. These clips (33B) serve to hold the spraychannel (15) in place during manufacture and snap out of the way onfirst use of the dispenser (1).

The angled segment (34) of the spray channel (15) is narrower than thevertical segment (33), both internally and externally. The angledsegment (34) leads from the top of the vertical segment (33) towards tothe spray aperture (7). At the spray aperture end of the angled segment(34), there is an oval disc (36D), designed to fit immediately behindthe oval spray aperture (7) and leave no gap visible from the outside atany time. There is also a conventional swirl chamber (37) at the end ofthe angled segment (34), designed to improve spray quality.

The actuator button (6) is illustrated in FIG. 14. It is comprised of afinger pad (38) and various features dependent therefrom. The finger pad(38) is longer in the front-back direction, i.e. the direction in whichit is designed to slide. The finger pad is designed to sit on the topwall (13) of the spray through cap (2). The finger pad (38) curvesupwards at its front end (39) in order to increase ergonomics of use.There are also curved projections (38A) on its top surface for this samepurpose. (See FIGS. 1 and 3 for these features).

Vertically dependent from the finger pad (38) are two orientation clips(40) that are designed to pass through the two parallel slits (32) thatare present in the major segment (13A) of the top wall (13) located oneither side of the central projection (27). The clips (40) haveoutwardly facing wedges (41) that aid their insertion into the slits(32), the clips (40) being temporarily bent inwards when this is done.When the actuator button (6) is pressed, the retaining clips (40) slideforwards within their respective slits (32).

Depending from the finger pad (38) along its central front-back axis isa keel-shaped structure (43). Said structure slopes outwards from thelower side of the finger pad (38) near its front end and terminatesapproximately half way along the length of the finger pad (38). Thelowest part (44) of the keel-shaped structure (43) is designed to pressdown upon the resilient area (35) at the top of the vertical segment(33) of the actuator button (6) when the dispenser (1) is operated.

A resilient leaf spring (45) depends from the finger pad (38) at a pointtowards the rear of its front-back axis. The leaf spring (45) ispositioned to pass through the gap (29) in the top wall (13) of thespray through cap (2) that exists behind the central projection (27)rising from said top wall (13). The leaf spring (45) is designed to bearagainst the substantial bearing wall (28) that forms the extended rearface (28) of the central projection (27) rising from the top wall (13).When the actuator button (6) is pushed forwards, the leaf spring isenergised. When the actuator button (6) is released, the leaf spring(45) urges the actuator button (6) back towards its original position.

From the front of the finger pad (38) there depend two projections (46)that are designed to interact with the two projections (17) that risefrom the minor segment (13B) of the top wall (13) of the spray throughcap (2). When the actuator button (6) is pushed forwards, the lower partof the projections (46) depending from the finger pad (38) slide alongthe top part of the projections (17) that rise the top wall (13) of thespray through cap (2) until said depending projections (46) have gonepast said rising projections (17). The raised ridges (18) on theprojections (17) rising from the top wall (13) of the spray through cap(2) serve to guide the projections (46) depending from the finger pad(38) during this process. When said depending projections (46) have gonepast said rising projections (17) the actuator button (6) may bedepressed.

From the rear of the finger pad (38) there depend two struts (47)bearing hinge joints (48) that are designed to fit into the parallelslits (31) located towards the back of the major segment (13A) of thetop wall (13) of the spray through cap (2).

When the actuator is operated, the actuator button (6) is slid forwardand the projections (46) depending from the front of the finger pad (38)ride along the projections (17) that rise from the minor segment (13B)of the top wall (13) of the spray through cap (2). Simultaneous to this,the two orientation clips (40) depending from the finger pad slideforward within the two parallel slits (32) that are present in the majorsegment (13A) of the top wall (13) located on either side of the centralprojection (27) and the hinge joints (48) depending from the rear of thefinger pad (38) slide along the parallel slits (31) located towards theback of the major segment (13A) of the top wall (13) of the spraythrough cap (2). At the same time, the leaf spring (45) becomesenergised by pressing against the bearing wall (28).

When the projections (46) depending from the front of the finger pad(38) have slid passed the projections (17) that rise from the minorsegment (13B) of the top wall (13), the actuator button (6) is able tobe depressed. At this time, the hinge joints (48) depending from therear of the finger pad (38) have reached the restraining clips (30)located towards the back of the major segment (13A) of the top wall(13). The finger pad (38) is depressed and the keel-shaped structure(43) dependent therefrom bears down upon the resilient area (35) at thetop of the vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15). This causesthe spray channel (15) to bear down upon the valve stem (VS) of thecontainer (1) upon which it sits, thereby opening the valve and allowingdischarge of the product within the container (1). During the depressionof the vertical segment (33) of the spray channel (15), the angledsegment (34) of the spray channel (15) slides downwards within the vault(25) that links the upper segment (20) of the aperture wall to the innerwall (16) and the oval disc (36) at the end of the spray channel (15)slides downwards immediately behind the oval spray aperture (7).

When pressure is removed from the actuator button (6), the springassociated with the valve stem (VS) of the container (1) forces thespray channel (15) upwards, immediately after which the leaf spring (45)dependent from the finger pad (38) forces the actuator button (6) backto its original position.

1. A hand-held cylindrical aerosol dispenser comprising an aerosol container and an attached spray through cap, the container having a valve at its top and a waisted section towards its upper end, the upper expansion of the waisted section smoothly continuing into the attached cap, the attached cap reaching a maximum cross-sectional dimension which decreases further up and having: (i) an actuator button located on its surface above its maximum cross-sectional dimension, said button being angled upwards at from 15° to 50°; (ii) a spray aperture on the opposite side of the cap from the actuator button; and (iii) an associated spray channel providing a fluid connection between the valve on the container and the spray aperture; the dimensions of the dispenser allowing the consumer to grip the dispenser around the waisted section of the container and, with the same hand, press upon the actuator button with an index finger to operate the dispenser.
 2. An aerosol dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the outer diameter of the waist of the container to the distance between the outer diameter of the waist and the centre of the finger pad of the actuator button, measured as the minimum distance along the curved outer surface of the dispenser, is at least 0.42 to 1 and no greater than 0.50 to
 1. 3. An aerosol dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ratio of the outer diameter of the waist of the container to the diameter of the container at the point where the spray through cap fits onto the container, is at least 1 to 1.15 and no greater than 1 to 1.35, more preferably being at least 1 to 1.2 and no greater than 1 to 1.3, and most preferably being 1 to 1.25.
 4. An aerosol dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum diameter of maximum diameter of the upper part of the dispenser is at the point where the spray through cap fits onto the container.
 5. An aerosol dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator button is slide operated.
 6. An aerosol dispenser according to any of the proceeding claims, wherein the waist of the container has an outer diameter of from 33 cm to 39 cm and is located at from 75 cm to 81 cm from the centre of a finger pad of the actuator button, measured as the minimum distance along the curved outer surface of the dispenser.
 7. An aerosol dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator button has a return mechanism. 